Mavs Finish Regular Season with Win Over Ichabods
Nov 8, 2008 | General
Box Score
Topeka, Kan. – UNO quarterback Zach Miller pushed past 3,000 yards career rushing to help the Mavericks beat Washburn University 34-14 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Washburn's Yager Stadium. Miller had a career-high 239 yards on the ground and four touchdowns as the Mavs finished the regular season 7-3, 6-3 in the MIAA.
Miller finished the game with more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing for the season, the first time he's accomplished the feat in his career.
Topeka, Kan. – UNO quarterback Zach Miller pushed past 3,000 yards career rushing to help the Mavericks beat Washburn University 34-14 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Washburn's Yager Stadium. Miller had a career-high 239 yards on the ground and four touchdowns as the Mavs finished the regular season 7-3, 6-3 in the MIAA.
Miller finished the game with more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing for the season, the first time he's accomplished the feat in his career.
The Mavs cashed in on their first possession of the game. After stopping the Ichabods on a three-and-out, they marched 54 yards on just 7 plays. Miller plunged over from one yard out to make it 7-0.
UNO caused a fumble at the Washburn 21, but they gave it back when Miller's pass was picked off by Brad Cole and run down to the UNO 31-yard line. Washburn moved the ball to the one-yard line, but fullback Greg Schoenberg coughed up the ball and Matt Ajuoga recovered for the Mavs to squelch the threat.
In the second quarter, the Mavericks doubled their lead. Miller, on the option, took the ball off left tackle. He weaved through traffic and shook off several defenders before completing the 76-yard run for the touchdown that made it 14-0.
The Ichabods responded on their next possession. Aided by several Maverick penalties, Washburn marched 76 yards and hit paydirt with a one-yard run from quarterback Dane Simoneau with 7:57 left in the second quarter.
The Mavericks answered right back. Miller again broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run down the right sideline. The extra point failed due to a bobbled snap, and Mavs led 20-7 at the half.
UNO didn't miss a beat in the second half. Receiving the opening kick-off, the Mavs manufactured a 9-play, 65-yard drive, culminating in a 22-yard touchdown run by Brian McNeill to make it 27-7.
On their next possession, the Mavs were forced to punt, but the Ichabods blocked Jason Schlautman's attempt and took over at the UNO one-yard line. Three plays later, Justin Cooper dove in from the one-yard line to close the gap to 27-14.
The Mavs were forced deep in their own zone to start the fourth quarter following an 87-yard punt by Austin Hills. The punt was one yard shy of tying the MIAA record. A Miller pass was then picked off, setting up Washburn with a short field.
The Ichabods got the ball down to the one-foot line before Simoneau fumbled the snap. The Mavs recovered their fourth fumble of the day when Steve Janda landed on the loose ball.
UNO put together another clock-chewing drive, aided by a personal foul penalty against Washburn's Michael Hollins. Miller ran it in from three yards out for his fourth touchdown of the day to make it 34-14. The drive consumed 95 yards on nine plays.
McNeill finished with 142 yards and ended the season as the Mavericks leading rusher with 1,341 yards.
The Mavericks now await the final regional rankings from the NCAA. The selections will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 9 between 2 – 2:30 p.m. CST on ESPNews. The top 6 teams will take part in the Division II playoffs.
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